A 5-year-old obese dachshund receives relaxing massage in a hot spa ( and below takes a walk on an aqua treadmill) at El Perro aqua fitness club for dogs in Tokyo, Japan. El Perro provides fitness programs for dogs to keep them healthy, also offers diet courses for obese dogs where one can learn how to balance their pet’s diet by comparing measured weight with ideal and calculating the amount of calories necessary for dogs to take. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images)

Description: The Ainu Dog is a thin, muscular, sturdy-looking dog. It is impulsive and fast and has a light gait. Ainu's have small, erect ears that are at a right angle to the brow. Its eyes are somewhat small, dark brown and set triangularly. The teeth are healthy, solid and non-protruding. Some have spots of black on their tongues. The bridge is straight leading to its dark nose. The well-fitted lips have dark pigmentation. The tail curls in typical Spitz fashion. The Forelegs are straight and lean and the hindquarters are covered with a double coat. The harsh, straight coat colors come in sesame, brindle, wolf gray, red, brown or white.

Temperament: The Ainu Dog's character is packed full of desirable qualities. He has proven a fearless and determined hunter, watchdog, guard and defender, and at the same time a loyal and well-behaved dog. They have also been used as sled dogs and scenting hounds and can be trained for defense. It is intelligent and quickly trained. This large game hunter is extremely courageous for its size, willing to attack a 650 pound bear! Yet it is still gentle, obedient and home-loving. It has an innate sense of direction and can therefore return to its master no matter how great the distance. This is a typical Shika-Inu, or medium-sized dog: headstrong, stubborn, aggressive with other dogs, but deeply summative to its human family. Despite its long history as a working breed, the Ainu Dog ideally combines the roles of family pet and hunter. This breed should not be allowed to run free around other animals. They are good with children if they are raised with them from puppyhood.

Height & Weight: 18~22 inches ; 20-30 kg

Living Conditions: Not meant to be an apartment dog. They live open spaces and yards. Their thick coat protects them from cold.

Grooming: The harsh, straight, double coat of the Ainu Dog should be brushed and combed on a regular basis.

Origin: The Ainu Dog is a Japanese Spitz breed rarely seen outside that county. The dog was named after the Ainu tribe. Origin is unknown. They arrived in Japan over 3,000 years ago when the Ainu brought this Spitz-type dog with them. As the Ainu were pushed onto the island of Hokkaido by an influx of Japanese people, their dogs gradually became restricted to this island. The dog's ever alert and suspicious nature lent itself to the required role of village guardian. Their dog has changed little over the centuries. The Ainu Dog is probably the oldest of the Japanese breeds. It was later named the Hokkaido Dog, but is still better known as the Ainu Dog; indeed it is registered with the FCI under that name.

A veterinarian feeds a baby Crowned Sifaka lemur named Tilavo at the Vincennes zoo, east of Paris, France. Tilavo is one of the two baby lemurs born in the zoo in the beginning of January as part of a European breeding programme handled by the zoo. He must be fed artificially because the mother has problems nursing him. The zoo owns 10 lemurs out of the 20 living in captivity around the world. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Propithecus verreauxi coronatus population, which lives in northwestern Madagascar, may be betweeen 100 and 1,000, and is categorized as 'Critically Endangered' due to habitat loss or degradation from agriculture/livestock and wood harvesting.

Hi!! This is Tony from Los Angeles , CA . A gizmo geek by nature and fond of all sorts of odd gadgets . I have a passion for pets and..Oh Yes! I have 2 dogs , 2 cats , 1 parrot and a cage full of finches . You can learn about interesting pet news, pet photos, pet videos, pet products, and pet care tips from this blog.. That sums of all about me. So come in with all ur aarfs and meaws and enjoy blogging.